Clean up now for a better spring!

  Get rid of dead annuals and vegetable plants now to cut down on pests and diseases that can live in the soil surviving on dead plants, just waiting to attack when the weather warms. So, pull up the annuals and summer veggies  (their roots will not survive the winter and they will not reappear anyway), and cut back your perennials to a few inches above the ground--this will not harm the plants as the roots live on.
  Clear up fallen leaves, weeds, dead or dying plants and if they are pest and disease free, add them to your compost pile. Destroy and remove any pest ridden or diseased plant material now will give you a head start for spring.
 
Protect your plants for a cozy winter:
  It is wise to move all container plants to a protected place to keep containers from freezing and non-hardy plants from dieing. Depending on where you live, you may want to wrap your container plants to keep them warmer. Use several layers of plastic wrap--this is great for larger plants that are hard to move. Don't feed your plants now as you don't want to encourage new growth. Keep water to a minimum.
  Taking a soil test now will help you get your soil in top condition for spring. Find out the pH level and nutrient level and add the necessary amendments to the soil. Organic amendments are always best, and doing it now gives the material time to break down--makes it easier for the plants to use the nutrients just when they need it the most. Organic amendments are always the best for the long term health of your garden as they improve nutrient quality as well as texture.
  A good tip is to place markers where ever you have perennials and bulbs so you will know where they are in spring. It will keep you from injuring dormant plants, and remind you of what grew successfully and what did not.
  Last, but most important is to mulch your garden. Mulching cuts down on soil borne diseases and will keep the soil temperature more even, protecting the plants root system.

What to plant now:
  Because the soil is warm in fall and the air is cooling, it is a good time to plant winter vegetables and annuals, bulbs, trees, shrubs, and some perennials. Below is a list of winter blooming plants to spice up your garden. It is important to plant before the soil gets really cold so the roots have a chance to develop. The best time to plan for spring and summer, is when you are putting your garden to bed for winter.